Your data still travels across the internet unencrypted. It only protects you on the LAN level.

While ISPs are in many jurisdictions obligated to log your connections (data retentions laws), VPN providers are not.

It’s not just all about encrypting traffic. Many people connect to the internet over a static IP most of the time from their home network. A VPN provides protection against tracking in this case.

A VPN doesn’t do much to protect HTTP connections.

That, unlike your ISP, isn’t obligated by law to log the connections you make (‘data retention’). Depending on the jurisdictions.

HTTPS, sure. But your ISP can and will create a pretty comprehensive social graph about you using only metadata (server IPs or hostnames). Where I live, all home networks basically have a static IP. Also, besides a commercial incentive, ISPs are also mandated to log your connections. VPNs are not.

People really do fall for this. I believe this mainly affects the elderly. Not anyone using Lemmy, but it really does exist.

I do, luckily. But I’d rather not use any Meta apps.

I guess I’m at least lucky that marketplace isn’t used here primarily.

Meta

Right. I’m still used to the parent company being named Facebook.

I want to quit Facebook so badly, but I NEED to use WhatsApp. Family, friends, work even. All informal and semi-formal chats go through WhatsApp where I live.

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Annas-archive.org is a more complete collection without download limits or registration requirement.

Makes sense. Now they can focus more on their core business. Google recently sold it’s domain registry, I think it might be the same thing.

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None of this will work since he needs to log in in order to watch the videos.

You must live in a huge neighbourhood. Your points are valid, though you can now choose to keep chats archived even when receiving a message. Settings > Chats > Keep chats archived.